Posted on Mar 15, 2014
Should the Military make it mandatory to pull over and salute the flags at 0600 and 1700?
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When I first enlisted a soldier would pull his/her vehicle over, step out and salute the flag. Six years later, I've noticed that no one does this anymore. I've also seen Soldiers of all ranks either dart to their car or garage. Sometimes they even wait until after it has finished before stepping out of the buildings. What are your thoughts on this?
Posted in these groups: 
Integrity
Flags and Vexillology
Integrity Flags and Vexillology
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 33
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Forced respect isn't respect. We need to do a better job in motivating folks to honor these things instead of forcing them to. Educate....motivate.
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SSG Robert Burns
In my opinion, knowing nothing about the flag you are saluting is just as disrespectful as not saluting it.
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SGT Bryon Sergent
That is the whole issue. We have been at war for 13yrs. It was bodies, push them through with what will keep them alive they can learn the rest later, mentality. I was taught whte the flag means in basic and then was told I had the worng information later on in life.
Would love to know where to get this information and teach it to my joe's. As we are about to be deployed and some of the Guard guys have never been active duty besides basic I'd like to start teaching my guys.
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SFC (Join to see)
Unless I'm actively driving on a large road on base I get out. I'm dual status (GS Civ and Reservist) and I do it not only for myself, but also for those that can no longer do so. You won't find me diving into a building to get out of doing it. Must have passed that onto my daughter, because she started ROTC in high school this year and she is carrying on. To help those out FM7-21.13 Chapter 4 section22 states, "4-22. When in a formation or a group, the senior soldier present will call the group to "Attention" and then "Parade, Rest" at the first note of "Retreat." That soldier will then call the group to "Attention" and "Present, Arms" at the first note of "To the Colors" and then "Order, Arms" at the conclusion. When in civilian clothing, the only change is to place your right hand over your heart instead of saluting. Vehicles in motion should stop. If you are in a car or on a motorcycle, dismount and salute. If you are with a group in a military vehicle or bus, remain in the vehicle. The individual in charge will dismount and salute. These honors also apply to the national anthems of foreign countries during ceremonies or parades. " So if you are in a car you should be stopping and get out of a vehicle if alone or if in a group the person in charge of vehicle (driver usually for safety reasons) would get out and render proper respect (salute or hand over heart). To those that say Why tell a Soldier to read the reg..." Simple because we are professionals and that is how you pass down knowledge along side of mentoring and example. We must always remember, " I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, Non-commissioned Officers, leaders!"
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SFC (Join to see)
One of the things I would do, during SGT's time, is challenge my soldiers to find things in the Reg. I figured if you dont have the answer you should also be able to find it for yourself and not just depend on me or some other NCO to spoon feed you all the time...knowledge is power. Pay it forward.
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Suspended Profile
Those are also on FT. Sill
WO1 (Join to see)
Absolutely, everytime I salutre the flag I think of all of our brothers in arms that are no longer abloe to salute the flag due to them giving their lives for it!
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Great question SGT Myers.<div><br></div><div>First, no one should have to make such a rule. Saluting the flag is a privilege afforded only to us.</div><div><br></div><div>EDIT: Do police officers also salute the flag? I've never seen it, but a quick check suggested they might.</div><div><br></div><div>Second, I think that the avoidance mentality might stem primarily from people being uncertain of the standard. Knowing the music and what it means is a perishable skill that simply isn't being imparted on a DOD-wide scale. It, like so many simple standards, has fallen by the side.</div>
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CMSgt James Nolan
Police in uniform do salute. You will usually see it from those who previously wore the Service Uniforms, but you will always see it at funerals, because like our military, they have sacrificed.
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